Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1012: Chapter 56: Where in This World Is the Path to Immortality (18)

Later, Luo Qiu and Song Ying, along with Zhang Qingrui, encountered Song Haoran on their way back.

“Wolf?” Song Ying opened her mouth slightly.

“Or maybe a wild boar or something, but there’s no big issue,” Song Haoran said with a relaxed expression—yet he had lost his shirt, only wearing a pair of pants, hardly matching his “no big issue” claim.

Despite this, Song Haoran did not have any wounds on his body, which reassured Song Ying.

“Really, Song Ying and Ms. Zhang got stuck in a pit. Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?” Song Haoran casually laughed, “What about you, Luo Qiu? Where did you wander off to?”

“Just took a stroll around,” Luo Qiu said offhandedly, “I found Song Ying and Zhang Qingrui because I heard some strange noises.”

This was just Luo Qiu’s excuse… If he wanted to find someone, he naturally wouldn’t need to use “hearing sounds” as an excuse.

For some reason, when Song Ying and Zhang Qingrui heard the description of “strange noises,” their expressions simultaneously changed subtly… Zhang Qingrui was a bit thinner-skinned, her face slightly flushed, and she turned up the collar of her shirt, lowering her neck.

Song Haoran looked suspiciously at the two young ladies but couldn’t make sense of anything—it was in the fog that he had his own encounter, and a mysterious figure even left him a strange ancient book.

Apart from Mr. Blind, it was his first time meeting someone so impossible to defeat… Even after trying over a hundred times with his revival ability, he couldn’t do anything against the person. Just this alone made Song Haoran quite interested in the ancient book left by the mysterious figure.

He was a bit anxious to go back and study this ancient book carefully, so he didn’t have much thought to investigate what happened to Song Ying and Zhang Qingrui in the pit, even though there seemed to have been some strange changes in their relationship.

“Well, since everyone’s okay, let’s hurry back,” Song Haoran, acting as the elder, managed the group at the moment, “Otherwise, dad will definitely blow up.”

“First, put on some clothes,” Luo Qiu took a long-sleeved garment from his backpack—not bringing out an additional coat because he considered he had already taken out quite a few things, and bringing out more large objects would be a bit beyond reason.

However…

“By the way, where did you get this backpack? Can it really hold so many things?” Song Haoran, casually putting on the long-sleeved autumn clothes sent by Luo Qiu, looked curiously at the backpack.

Luo Qiu replied calmly, “As long as you fold things neatly, there’s always a way to fit them.”

“Alright… stop discussing insignificant stuff, let’s quickly return, it’s completely dark now!”

Song Ying at this time was pushing Song Haoran’s back. She wasn’t concerned with how much the backpack could hold; she just wanted to return quickly, to take a good bath, and sort out the events of the day—no doubt, like in those outdated martial arts novels, she had eaten something strange, and then ended up with a young lady.

Though she herself was a young lady too…

But whether it was Song Ying, Song Haoran, or Zhang Qingrui, they subconsciously ignored one thing—that was, why the fog appeared so strangely, and why those originally in Wanglong Pavilion suddenly got separated. Not to mention the huge, terrifying shadow Song Ying and Zhang Qingrui saw in the fog… none of these were brought up.

It seemed not to be a strange thing, seemed something just to be buried in the heart, seemed unremarkable… even, seemed like “Ah, isn’t that quite normal?” kind of thought.

They walked in silence.

…

——Reflect on your actions in your room tonight, and don’t have dinner!

This was what Old Master Song said to Song Haoran after returning to the Song Family’s ancestral house—for there was no doubt, with everyone returning so late, the leader was certainly Song Haoran.

Song Haoran quite readily accepted such a punishment, leaving with a playful grin and walking flamboyantly to his room.

Zhang Qingrui was a guest, so Old Master Song naturally wouldn’t say much to her. As for Song Ying, Old Master Song just casually rebuked her a few times, and left it at that.

“Luo Qiu, you must be tired from running around all day, right? I asked Uncle Wu to keep some food. Have something to eat before going back to rest?”

“Ah, alright.” Luo Qiu nodded.

Thus, Song Ying rolled her eyes helplessly—this guy must be your real grandson, right?

But Song Ying wasn’t in a mood to be jealous right now.

She glanced at Zhang Qingrui, who earlier mentioned feeling a bit tired and had excused herself to the guest room prepared for her.

Song Ying then haphazardly shoveled a few bites of food into her mouth before retreating to her room alone, leaving Luo Qiu and Old Master Song to chat leisurely in the dining room.

After dinner, Song Tianyou personally brewed some tea, and then asked, “Luo Qiu, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead.”

Song Tianyou pondered for a while. “It’s like this, before returning to China, Mr. Blind entrusted me with a matter. It seems he is looking for something and hopes you could help him.”

“Me?” Luo Qiu asked in some surprise, “I heard that Mr. Blind is a master at Feng Shui and divination… Shouldn’t need my help?”

Song Tianyou smiled kindly, “This Mr. Blind left Hua Country many years ago due to some matters and has not returned for a long time. There must be something important for his return this time… He specifically requested your help, and I really couldn’t refuse. If not for Mr. Blind back then, it would be impossible for the Song Family to have today’s achievements. So when he asked me, I…”

“It’s okay,” Luo Qiu nodded, then asked, “Just, why me?”

Song Tianyou honestly said, “Do you remember the first time Mr. Blind met you at the mourning hall? He said you were a noble with unimaginable fortune… He probably wants to borrow your luck. Of course, Mr. Blind also mentioned that whether or not you find it, he will definitely not let you help in vain.”

With that, Old Master Song carefully brought out a small box and opened it before Luo Qiu. The box was quite old, and upon opening, three pills the size of a longan were inside.

At this moment, Song Tianyou said, “This is a miraculous medicine personally crafted by Mr. Blind, which can prolong life, cure illnesses, and even heal wounds. There are three in total, incredibly precious, each costing over a hundred million dollars to make… Consider this as his deposit.”

Luo Qiu sat quietly in front of Song Tianyou for a moment, then reached out and took the box, removing one of the pills, “I’ll just take these two, and leave the remaining one as an offering to you.”

“This… isn’t right.” Song Tianyou shook his head.

Luo Qiu said softly, “It’s the New Year, isn’t it normal to send something to the elders at home?”

——The elders at home.

Song Tianyou carefully took it from Luo Qiu’s hand.

This miraculous medicine, even for him, Mr. Blind might not necessarily give. There was no superior-subordinate relationship between him and Mr. Blind, more of a cooperative relationship—or rather, it was the Song Family relying on extraordinary people like Mr. Blind.

Old Master Song knew his health condition, so naturally, he was tempted by such a miraculous medicine… at this moment, receiving it through Luo Qiu’s hand gave him an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

“I’ll head back to my room first,” Luo Qiu took his leave at this moment.

Old Master Song nodded, watching Luo Qiu leave. He remained seated in the dining room, brewing tea by himself, sipping slowly, occasionally looking at the wax ball in his hand, feeling as though, although the New Year had not yet arrived, it was already palpable.

However, Old Master Song’s private phone rang at this moment… the call was from the grandmother of Zhang Qingrui, someone he respected highly: Zhang Li Lanfang.

“Hello, Sister Li!”

“Song Little dog, is my granddaughter being treated well over there with you?”

“Haha! I dare offend ten thousand people, but I definitely don’t dare offend you, big sister.” Song Tianyou was in a good mood, joking, “Your granddaughter, I’m definitely treating like a Buddha.”

“Alright, you old rascal.” Zhang Li Lanfang’s voice turned serious on the other end, “I received a call from Qingrui this morning. This year, I’ll come over by myself instead of going to your hometown. But there’s one thing I want you to start preparing for.”

Song Tianyou was taken aback, he felt a stirring in his heart, “Big sister, are you talking about the tomb matter?”

“Today, news came from the Suzuki Family on the other side in the insular country, with whom we are cooperating, saying their people have already arrived, hoping you can get in touch with them as soon as possible. I’ve already spoken with Aqi over the phone, he’ll coordinate with you when the time comes.”

Song Tianyou frowned and said, “Big sister, I’m not trying to refuse, after all, I’ve already arranged my people in advance… but tomorrow night is New Year’s Eve… can’t it wait until after the New Year to discuss?”

“This is what the other party requested, I’m helpless too.” Zhang Li Lanfang sounded somewhat helpless, “Their view is that precisely because it’s around the New Year, the major domestic departments have things to handle, relatively making it more convenient to act. No one would think someone would excavate the Imperial Tomb during the New Year.”

“That’s true…” Song Tianyou nodded, then said helplessly, “However, it’s just a bit ominous.”

“You’re a mercenary leader, still concerned about ominous things?” Zhang Li Lanfang sneered, “Stop babbling. The Suzuki Family, our partner, agreed to an additional thirty percent cooperation fee, and also agreed to split whatever is developed from the Imperial Tomb with us fifty-fifty.”

“That’s probably thanks to Sister Li, isn’t it?” Song Tianyou chuckled at this moment… Zhang Li Lanfang hasn’t even seen her granddaughter these past few days, probably because she’s been arguing with our partners from the insular country at the negotiation table?

“Since Sister Li has spoken, I have no issues here.” Song Tianyou nodded.

Regarding this additional cooperation fee, Old Master Song really didn’t care much about it—money was not something he needed. On the contrary, if some rare treasures could be developed from the Imperial Tomb, those would be things money couldn’t measure.

“Alright, on the second day of the New Year, Aqi will come find you,” Zhang Li Lanfang quickly said, “Additionally, there’s one more thing you should keep an eye on.”

“What is it, big sister?”

“I know about the relative you recently acknowledged, having some connection with my family’s Qingrui.” Zhang Li Lanfang paused, “If possible, I hope they won’t grow closer.”

Song Tianyou, who had been in a pleasant mood, suddenly felt a shadow cast over him. He replied indifferently, “Sister Li, are you referring to Luo Qiu… what, you think my newly acknowledged grandson is unworthy of your family?”

“Song Little dog, you know I only have this one granddaughter.” Zhang Li Lanfang’s voice was also a bit cold.

“Unfortunately.” Song Tianyou also said coldly, “My brother also only has this one descendant left. Whoever looks down on him is looking down on me, Song. Those who looked down on me haven’t seen the New Year in a long time.”

“Song Tianyou, are you threatening me?”

“I, Song, never meant that.”

Song Tianyou said calmly, “I just hope Sister Li you understand, don’t forget the past. How you escaped from the capital back then, how you fell into trouble, how the Song Family helped you through the difficult times? Over the years, I’ve never demanded repayment for those favors. You should be clear about the promises you made back then… I regard Luo Qiu as my own grandson, regardless of what he asks for, I will satisfy him, and I hope you understand that.”

After a long time, Zhang Li Lanfang suddenly asked, “If he wants the entire Song Family, will you give it?”

Song Tianyou replied directly, “Give!”

“Let’s not talk about this for now.” After a long silence, Zhang Li Lanfang said, “Let’s handle the cooperation matter first.”

“That suits me perfectly.” Song Tianyou nodded calmly.

…

…

A thousand miles away, in the study of the Zhang mansion.

She was actually quite elderly, her body becoming weaker by the day, yet the vast Zhang and Li families still needed her to hold control.

Not to say exhausted, but probably almost there.

In another two or three years, who knows what the situation would be like.

Zhang Li Lanfang sighed, leaned back in her chair, pondering, “Inheriting the Song Family… if so, it might be a way out, truly a fateful entanglement…”

Fatigued, Zhang Li Lanfang took off her reading glasses, rubbed her brow, then glanced at the photo frame on the desk.

An old black-and-white, jaundiced photograph, showing a young man and woman.

The old lady murmured softly, “How fortunate for you, just walking away, ending everything… but me, when will it all end? Zhang Ru Hui, oh Zhang Ru Hui, you bastard, truly a heartless person…”